Texas AG asked about crosses on patrol units

Published 8:38 am, Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Hale County Precinct 3 Constable Terry Timms stands next to Christian cross decals that he has had on his patrol vehicle since 2011.

Hale County Precinct 3 Constable Terry Timms stands next to Christian cross decals that he has had on his patrol vehicle since 2011.

Photo: Homer Marquez/Plainview Herald

Texas AG asked about crosses on patrol units

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Hale County Precinct 3 Constable Terry Timms has been displaying Christian cross decals on the tailgate of his patrol pickup since October 2011 without a single complaint. In fact, he continues to receive positive comments about his show of faith.

However, another law enforcement agency’s display of Christian crosses on patrol vehicle has drawn a complaint from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.

According to a report by The Texas Tribune, State Attorney General Ken Paxton has been asked by a West Texas district attorney to review the legality of such religious displays by law enforcement officers.

Johnathan Silver, a Texas Tribune writer, explains that DA Rod Ponton, who serves four West Texas counties, asked Paxton for an opinion on whether sheriff’s deputies in Brewster County are allowed to place stickers in the shape of crosses on the back of their patrol vehicles. Ponton made his request in Late December, as the office came under fire from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

The debate, Silver notes, is reminiscent of when lawmakers asked Paxton in October whether the Childress Police Department violated the First Amendment with its “In God We Trust” displays on patrol vehicles. Area lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott supported the displays. Paxton agreed.

Subsequently, the message began appearing on a host of vehicles operated by first responders, including those in Plainview and surrounding counties.

“I haven’t heard from that foundation or anybody else complaining about the crosses on my pickup,” Timms said Tuesday, “and if a do, I’ll tell them the same thing the police chief in Denton said, ‘Go fly a kite.’ I plan to leave them on unless the county commissioners and county judge tell me otherwise, or I’m voted out of office.”

Timms has been displaying the Christian faith symbols on his official patrol vehicle since 2011, shortly after the rolled his county-owned pickup truck while on a high-speed pursuit.

In October, which the controversy over the “In God We Trust” decals erupted, Timms told the Herald that the crosses are a sign of gratitude to his faith, which he says protects him when he is on duty.

"Every day that I get inside that vehicle, I thank the good Lord for another day and ask for his protection," Timms said, who lives in Abernathy and serves the southern half of Hale County.

Though he says he doesn't push his religion on anyone, the crosses do let people know he is willing to talk faith or pray for anyone who asks for it.

"A lot of times we have the opportunity, more so in law enforcement, to counsel somebody or let them know there's help out there," Timms said. "I've counseled with a lot of individuals that have sat in my vehicle over the years. By placing your trust and faith in God, situations can always turn around."